NEET UG 2025: Over 2 Million Face Tough Exam, Physics Section Stands Out as Most Difficult

The National Testing Agency (NTA) successfully conducted the NEET UG 2025 examination on 4th May. Since the exam concluded, students and educators alike have actively discussed its difficulty level. A large number of students expressed disappointment as they exited the examination centres, highlighting the paper’s challenging nature. While some candidates found Physics particularly difficult, others faced trouble with Chemistry.

Cutoff Likely to Reflect Paper Difficulty

The NEET UG exam serves as the gateway to MBBS admissions in India. This year, approximately 2.3 million students applied with aspirations of pursuing a career in medicine. Given the tough nature of the paper, experts expect the cutoff scores to be influenced significantly by the exam’s overall difficulty.

Coaching Institutes Confirm Toughness of Paper

Several leading coaching institutes preparing students for NEET have confirmed that the 2025 paper was more difficult than usual. Some questions challenged even experienced faculty members, making the exam especially tough for first-time test-takers. Many students reported that the Physics section stood out as the most demanding, and the limited time available added to the pressure.

“Conversations with students revealed that this year’s NEET paper was tough. While no single subject stood out for all, the overall consensus was that the exam was challenging. We are currently analysing the paper and will share further insights once the review is complete.”
– Aakash Institute (Jaipur)

Exam Structure: 720 Marks in Total

The NEET UG 2025 paper carried a total of 720 marks, comprising 180 questions. Candidates received 4 marks for each correct answer, and 1 mark was deducted for every incorrect response. As per NTA’s policy, students will be awarded full marks for any question found to be erroneous.

2.3 Million Applied; 2 Million Appeared

This year, NEET UG took place across more than 5,000 exam centres in over 550 cities throughout India. Out of the 2.3 million registered applicants, nearly 2 million students appeared for the exam, making it one of the largest medical entrance tests in the country.